A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chiang Mai vs. Adelaide for Attractions, Food, Hiking, and Backpackers

Should you visit Chiang Mai or Adelaide?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Chiang Mai and Adelaide. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a welcoming, natural, and temple-filled city. It's a large city with plenty of activites for visitors as well. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, food, and hiking.

Adelaide

Adelaide is a under-rated, elegant, and welcoming city. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Chiang Mai and Adelaide: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Mai or Adelaide?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Chiang Mai. Although Chiang Mai and Adelaide are both popular with visitors, Chiang Mai has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Chiang Mai is more popular for its museums & sights, food, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Adelaide is known for its beaches. Chiang Mai is more touristy than Adelaide and is known for its lively night market, historical temples, local cuisine, and cultural rainforest treks. It is also home to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Adelaide is popular for its wine scene, vibrant festivals, green spaces, and local sporting events.

How is Chiang Mai different from Adelaide?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Adelaide and Chiang Mai. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chiang Mai or Adelaide?

Chiang Mai is renowned for its museums and history. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Travelers visit Chiang Mai from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many beautiful temples in the area. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a mountain-top temple that is an iconic landmark in the city. Other famous sights include Doi Inthanon and Wat Chedi Luang.

Adelaide offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are some interesting buildings along North Terrace such as the Parliament House, the State Library of South Australia, and the South Australian Museum. At the Botanic Garden there's the Santos Museum of Economic Botany. Also make sure you check out the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Is the Food Better in Chiang Mai or Adelaide? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Chiang Mai is renowned for its restaurants. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in Chiang Mai have been singled out for their culinary prowess. For many, this city offers some of the best food in all of Thailand. The cuisine is influenced by nearby Burma and China, with ginger and turmeric often used. Curries tend to be a bit milder and dishes are often served with sticky rice. Famous dishes around town include Khao Soi, Larb Kua, and Sai Oua. Cooking classes are also very popular around town and the courses often include a trip to a market.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Adelaide. There's great wine, local restaurants, and charming cafes. You'll find local dishes as well as international flavors around town. The local produce is good and the restaurants offer fresh and delicious recipes.

Is Chiang Mai or Adelaide Better for Nightlife?

Chiang Mai is a very popular place for nightlife. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife and partying.

Chiang Mai has a large number of nightlife venues. It is the largest city in Northern Thailand, so it has the most active nightlife scene in the area. Whatever your style, you can find something to do at night here. Many people head to the riverside to drink and listen to music. You'll also find clubs concentrated around Nimmanhaemin Road and Loy Kroh Road. There's also the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, which is packed with stalls and people sampling food and drinks.

Adelaide has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is filled with rooftop bars, live music venues, and boutique wine bars. Whether you're looking for trendy and luxury or casual and laid back, there are many places to spend a night out.

Is Chiang Mai or Adelaide Better for Beaches?

Adelaide is a great city for its beaches. However, Chiang Mai is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Adelaide for it's beautiful beaches. Part of what makes the city's beaches so great is how accessible they are. You don't have to go far to be at some of the area's best beaches. Glenelg is a family-friendly beach near town. It's also the most popular and most accessible. Brighton is relaxed with cafes and small restaurants nearby. And for seafood, head to Henley.

Chiang Mai is not a beach destination.

Is Chiang Mai or Adelaide Better for its Old Town?

Chiang Mai is a very popular place for its historic old town. However, Adelaide does not have a historic old town.

Chiang Mai is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old city is about 1.5 square kilometers in size and it has four gates, one on each side. The most famous area is Sunday Walking Street, which comes to life at 4pm every day when it is lined with stalls and filled with people.

Adelaide does not have a historic old town.

Is Chiang Mai or Adelaide Better for Hiking?

Chiang Mai is renowned for its hiking trails. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Around Chiang Mai visitors will find world-class hiking trails. Many people use this city as a base for a trekking excursion into the surrounding countryside. The land is lush and beautiful and many treks also expose you to the welcoming Hilltribe people of Northern Thailand. Treks can be organized at almost any hotel or hostel as well the many tour agencies around town.

Adelaide offers some nice hiking trails. Outside of town there are national parks and reserves with hiking trails. You don't have to go far to explore the coastline or bushland in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Mai or Adelaide?

Chiang Mai is renowned for shopping. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Chiang Mai. The city is famous for its night markets, which run every night of the year until around midnight. You'll find the streets packed with people and vendors, rain or shine. This is a great place to search for local handicrafts and try some of the city's famous street food. Popular items to buy include rice boxes, silk, and Thai sky lanterns.

Adelaide is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Rundle Mall is the most well known shopping area in town. You'll find boutique shops as well as large department stores. Whether you're looking for international fashion brands or something more local, there are many places to explore.

Is Chiang Mai or Adelaide Better for Families?

Chiang Mai is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Chiang Mai is a very family-friendly destination. This city is very friendly and welcoming to kids. There are many cultural and adventurous activities that the whole family can enjoy. One of the most popular kid-friendly places to visit is the Elephant Sanctuary, where kids can get up close and personal with these beautiful animals. Kids will also enjoy heading into the countryside to trek or visit one of Thailand’s Hilltribes. The cultural experience and opportunity to meet a diversity of kids will be an experience your children will never forget. In town, a cooking class is a popular option for budding foodies.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Adelaide. There are kids museums, water parks, playgrounds, and beaches that are fun to explore with children. The city has a family-friendly vibe with kid-friendly restaurants and a welcoming personality.

Is Chiang Mai or Adelaide Better for Couples?

Chiang Mai is a very popular place for romance. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Chiang Mai makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Trekking, rafting, temples, and some of the best food in Thailand all make this city a popular destination for a couple's getaway. The region is perfect for adventurous couples who want to experience more of the authentic side of Thailand.

Adelaide makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. A great date activity is a night at the opera. There are also boat rides, hot air balloon rides, and nice restaurants that make for a fun evening out.

Is Chiang Mai or Adelaide Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chiang Mai is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Adelaide is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent Chiang Mai. This is one of the biggest backpacker mecca's in Southeast Asia, and you'll find the city flooded with budget travelers out to experience it all. There are countless hostels and budget hotels available and most will organize treks and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and many visitors end up staying longer than they planned. Prices in Northern Thailand are also much more affordable than many other areas.

Plenty of backpackers visit Adelaide. It's not high on the list for many backpackers, but those who venture here will enjoy a great wine scene, beautiful beaches, and lively festivals.

Is Chiang Mai or Adelaide Better for Students?

Adelaide is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Adelaide. It's a friendly and affordable city that has a nice student culture. It's very livable and accessible to other interesting places.

Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

Is Chiang Mai or Adelaide Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Adelaide is a great city for times when you don't have a car. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its public transit.

Public transit in Adelaide is fairly effecient and thorough. There are bus, trains, and trams throughout the city center.

Chiang Mai has a few public transit options. Transportation options include red songthaew (converted pick-up trucks), buses, and tuk-tuks.

Is Chiang Mai or Adelaide a more walkable city?

Adelaide is a great city for its walkability. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Adelaide is very walkable. The city is compact and laid out in a grid pattern, so it's easy to explore on foot.

Chiang Mai is a somewhat walkable place. Although there are a few walking streets, the city can get very crowded and many places are easier to access with a tuk tuk or taxi.

For even more information, also check out Is Chiang Mai Worth Visiting? and Is Adelaide Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Adelaide or Chiang Mai?

How long in Chiang Mai or Adelaide?

It's fun to spend time in either Chiang Mai or Adelaide. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Chiang Mai due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Chiang Mai, and 2-4 days is enough time in Adelaide.

Families should spend more time in Chiang Mai than Adelaide. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Chiang Mai, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Chiang Mai than Adelaide. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Chiang Mai that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chiang Mai than Adelaide if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Chiang Mai.

One day in Chiang Mai or Adelaide?

Chiang Mai is a big city with plenty to do. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

With museums and nightlife around the elegant city of Adelaide, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Chiang Mai or Adelaide?

Chiang Mai is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Chiang Mai, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Adelaide, there's plenty to do. It's also a great beach destination, too. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Chiang Mai or Adelaide?

Chiang Mai is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Chiang Mai, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Adelaide, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Chiang Mai or Adelaide?

Chiang Mai is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Chiang Mai has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.

Adelaide is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Bangkok, The Best 3-Day Tours from Chiang Mai, The Best 2-Week Tours in Australia, and The Best 3-Week Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Adelaide, we can see that Adelaide is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Chiang Mai is in Asia and Adelaide is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Chiang Mai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Mai and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Adelaide would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Adelaide than you might in Chiang Mai.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chiang Mai Expensive? and Is Adelaide Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Adelaide?

Adelaide has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Chiang Mai. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Adelaide, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai or Adelaide?

Adelaide has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Chiang Mai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Adelaide in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Adelaide. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Adelaide because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Chiang Mai is a little warmer than Adelaide in the summer. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Adelaide fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Adelaide this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives less sunshine than Adelaide during summer. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Adelaide receives 330 hours of full sun in the summer.

Chiang Mai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Adelaidein January. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Adelaide in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Adelaide. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Adelaide this time of year.

In the autumn, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Adelaide. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chiang Mai in October average around 29°C (83°F), and Adelaide averages at about 18°C (64°F)in April.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Adelaide. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chiang Mai this time of the year. In the autumn, Chiang Mai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Adelaidein April. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Adelaide receives 215 hours of full sun.

Chiang Mai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in October than Adelaidein April. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Adelaide in the Winter?

Both Adelaide and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Adelaide for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Chiang Mai is generally much warmer than Adelaidein July. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 23°C (74°F), and Adelaide fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Adelaide during winter. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Adelaide receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Adelaidein July. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Chiang Mai is November to February.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Adelaide in the Spring?

Both Adelaide and Chiang Mai during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Adelaide in the spring for the beaches.

It's very hot in Chiang Mai this time of the year. Chiang Mai is much warmer than Adelaide in the spring. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 31°C (88°F) in April, and Adelaide fluctuates around 16°C (61°F)in October.

In Adelaide, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. In the spring, Chiang Mai often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Adelaidein October. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Adelaide receives 256 hours of full sun.

Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in April than Adelaidein October. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Adelaide receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai.

Typical Weather for Adelaide and Chiang Mai